Sound and Video Production Exercise
Sound and Video Production
Lee Jon Yun / 0358356Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
2. Lectures
3. Exercises
4. Feedback
5. Reflection
WEEK 1: INTRO TO VIDEO & SOUND PRODUCTION
On the first week, Mr. Martin introduced the module and explained what we’ll be doing throughout the semester. He emphasized that planning and writing ideas before starting any video project is really important. We were also told to collect references online, like from Pinterest.
He explained the three main projects. Project 2 will be a group project where we shoot and edit a short video in thriller style. For the final project, we’ll use Adobe After Effects. He also mentioned we’ll need to prepare a tripod for our shoots.
During practical class, we learned basic editing using Adobe Premiere Pro. We did two simple exercises to get used to the software. Mr. Martin shared a useful tip: using the up/down arrow keys to jump between clip edges in the timeline. I had trouble finding my sequence, but he showed me how to create one by dragging a clip into the timeline.
He also taught us how to export our videos correctly and what settings to use.
Before we go into cinematography, he explained that we first need to learn the basics: shot size, camera angle, and composition which are the main tools for storytelling in video.
SHOT SIZE
Shot size means how much of the subject and background we can see in the frame. It affects how the audience feels, how important the subject looks, and gives context to the scene.
Extreme Wide Shot (EWS) / Extreme Long Shot (ELS)
This shot shows a large area and makes the subject look very small.
It’s usually used to show the location or to give a feeling of scale, distance, or loneliness.
Wide Shot (WS) / Long Shot (LS)
This shot shows the subject’s whole body, with some space above the head and below the feet.
It gives a good balance between the person and the background, so we can understand the space around them.
Full Shot (FS)
Shows the whole body like a wide shot, but the subject takes up more space in the frame.
It’s good for showing groups or introducing a character fully.
Medium Wide Shot (MWS) / Medium Long Shot (MLS)
Shows the subject from around the knees up.
It’s between a full shot and a medium shot, often used in talking or action scenes.
Cowboy Shot (CS)
Shows the subject from mid-thighs up.
It was made for Western films to show the gun holsters, but now it’s used for dramatic or tense scenes.
Medium Shot (MS)
Shows the subject from the waist up.
It’s the most common shot in film and animation because it’s very flexible.
Great for dialogue shows emotions but still gives some background.
Medium Close-Up (MCU)
This shot frames the subject from the chest up.
It focuses more on the face and expressions, but still shows a bit of the upper body and background.
It’s good for emotional moments while keeping some connection to the scene
Close-Up (CU)
This shot focuses on the face or an important detail.
It’s used to show emotions clearly, like reactions or expressions.
It helps the audience feel more connected to what the character is feeling.
Extreme Close-Up (ECU)
Shows a very small part of the subject, like just the eyes, lips, or even an object.
It’s used to build tension, show something very important, or make a moment feel more intense or personal.
Establishing shot
A wide or extreme wide shot used at the start of a scene to show the location and set the context. It helps orient the viewer to where the action is taking place and can set the tone for the scene.
Framing
Framing is about deciding how many subjects are in the shot and where they’re placed. It controls where the viewer looks and what emotions they feel.
Single Shot
Shows one subject only.
This can be any shot size but focuses just on one person or thing.
Two Shot
Shows two subjects in the same frame.
Common in conversations or scenes with humor, showing interactions, chemistry, or conflict.
Three Shot
Frames three characters together.
Often used in group scenes, especially in movies with ensemble casts, to show relationships.
Over-The-Shoulder Shot (OTS)
Shows one character from behind another.
Used a lot in dialogue scenes to show perspective and space between characters.
Over-The-Hip Shot (OTH)
Similar to OTS but shows the character from the hip.
Great for showing dominance, especially if one character is sitting.
Point of View Shot (POV)
Shows what a character sees.
Puts the viewer in the character’s shoes, creating a personal connection. Often follows a shot-reverse-shot pattern.
Camera Angles
Camera angles impact how the subject is seen, making them seem powerful, weak, equal, or unstable.
Eye Level Shot
The camera is positioned at the subject’s eye level.
It’s a neutral shot, the most natural perspective.
Low Angle Shot
The camera looks up at the subject.
It makes the subject seem more powerful, heroic, or intimidating.
High Angle Shot
The camera looks down at the subject.
It can make the subject seem weak, small, or overwhelmed.
Hip Level Shot
The camera is at waist height.
Often used in action or conversation scenes, especially with seated characters.
Knee Level Shot
The camera is at knee height.
Highlights movement or adds a sense of power when used with a low angle.
Ground Level Shot
The camera is placed on the ground.
It can show hidden actions or create dramatic low-angle effects.
Shoulder Level Shot
The camera is at shoulder height.
It’s slightly lower than eye-level and can subtly change the power dynamic.
Dutch Angle / Tilt Shot
The camera is tilted sideways.
It suggests unease, instability, or tension.
Bird’s Eye View / Overhead Shot
The camera is positioned directly above the subject.
It focuses on patterns or scale, showing the bigger picture.
Aerial Shot
Taken from a helicopter or drone.
This shot gives dramatic views from above, often used in establishing or chase scenes.
Composition
Composition is how visual elements are arranged in a shot to guide the viewer's eye and help tell the story.
Rule of Thirds
Divides the frame into nine equal parts, using two horizontal and two vertical lines.
Placing subjects along these lines creates balanced and visually pleasing shots.
Balance & Symmetry
Symmetry in shots gives a feeling of order or peace.
Imbalance in the shot can create tension or focus attention on a specific part of the scene.
Leading Lines
Lines in the scene that guide the viewer’s eye to a focal point.
It adds depth and connects elements within the frame.
Eye-Level Framing
Frames the shot from the character’s point of view.
It helps create immersion or empathy with the character’s perspective.
Depth of Field
Refers to how much of the image is in focus.
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Deep Focus: Everything is sharp.
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Shallow Focus: The background is blurry, and the subject is sharp.
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Soft Focus: Everything is slightly blurry.
It’s used to control where the viewer’s attention goes or to create a specific mood.
Deep Space Composition
Positions subjects at different distances from the camera.
This creates visual contrast and tension between the foreground, middle ground, and background.
Week 1 Quiz
Week 2
The Three Act Structure breaks a story into three parts: Setup (Act I), where the characters and setting are introduced; Confrontation (Act II), where the main conflict happens; and Resolution (Act III), where the conflict is resolved. It's a popular framework for crafting engaging stories in films and other forms of storytelling.
Week 2 Quiz
Exercises
we did a shooting practice exercise in a group of 3 people. We filmed eight different shot types, each lasting 4-5 seconds in landscape orientation. After filming, we were given an exercise to edit the footage in Adobe Premiere Pro, captions to each shot.
shot types :
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Close-Up Shot
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Frontal Medium Close-Up Shot
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Frontal Medium Shot
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Extreme Close-Up Shot
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Side Angle Medium Shot
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3/4 Angling Medium Close-Up Shot
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Low Angle Wide Shot
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Eye-Level Medium-Wide Shot
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